Decorating Lifestyles Blog

Home Staging to Sell April 23, 2008

Home Staging is finally beginning to catch on with home owners and real estate agents. Considered a ’secret weapon’ in selling a home, home staging can be done either by a professional interior decorator or stager, or, by a ‘do-it-your-selfer’ using my basic staging prep and staging details lists. If your home has been on the market for several weeks or months with little or no activity, you especially need to consider staging.  As an interior designer I offer services in home staging and each staging experience has been a profitable one for the home owner. On average, after staging a home for a client, it has sold within 2 weeks, and for at least the asking price - if not above! But……there’s always a but…. these home owners carried out the staging techniques I suggested to the ‘T’-I think this is the most important element of home staging-you should follow all the rules, not just some, for staging to be successful!

As the home seller, if you are considering home staging, talk to your realtor or ask co-workers or friends if they can recommend a home staging professional. Most interior designers and stagers will have an hourly rate or figure an estimate for the entire project. Depending on the size of your home and how much ’stuff ‘ you’ve accumulated, having your home professionally staged can range from $300-$5,000 or more. How about these statistics to help you make up your mind about staging: staged homes can sell three times faster, reduce the number of days on the market by 50%, and may increase the selling price 3-6%. 

It is difficult for homeowners to realize they must pack most or all of their treasures away when staging their home, and I remind them that marketing their home will be very different from living in it. I advise my clients to think of it as decorating a display home - presenting to homebuyers a potential living space, in the most appealing way, to the majority of homebuyers.

BASIC STAGING PREP

1. 50% RULE- Eliminate clutter in your home by at least half. This is your mantra until your home is ready to go on the market.  This is my favorite rule, but my clients’ least favorite. Homeowners are attached to memories or hobbies they have displayed with knicknacks and collections throughout their homes. But…….lots of ‘chotchke’ makes rooms feel small and un-organized.  Besides, you’re moving so why not take the opportunity to get rid of things you certainly don’t need to pack up and move with you. Make 3 piles when de-cluttering -  donate, trash, and re-use/pack (this last one hopefully will be the smallest pile). If you come across anything you haven’t seen, worn, or used in the past year-get rid of it!

2. CLEAN - Give your whole house - inside and out - a thorough cleaning. Clean carpets and wash windows. You may even want to invest in a cleaning service to do some of these bigger jobs or to come on a weekly basis while your home is on the market.

3. REPAIRS - Have the dripping faucet or cracked tile repaired before you put your home on the market.

4. DE -PERSONALIZE - Back to the chotchke thing. You really must remove personal objects - potential buyers will not identify with them. Buying a home can be emotional and you want potential buyers to make that emotional connection with your home by picturing themselves in it, which they cannot do with your personal things displayed.

STAGING DETAILS

1. CURB APPEAL - Before the buyers even enter your home, their first impression will be what they see when they pull up. This is a good place to start your staging process, and maybe spend a little extra time and money. Repaint or replace the front door. Replace old or worn house numbers, mailbox, door handle. Get a new door mat. Replace and update outdoor light fixtures ( don’t forget about the garage) and make sure there are no burned out light bulbs. Remove window screens - this makes a huge difference from inside the home and offers a cleaner look from the outside. Trim bushes, pull weeds, and pick up leaves. Plant a few flowers or place flower containers on the front porch or steps. Give this same attention to the back yard as well. Put bikes and scooters away.

2. ENTRY/FOYER -  Remove or re-position bulky or awkward furniture pieces that hinder easy manuverability when standing in your entryway. Remove rugs and replace outdated light fixtures with new. Remove any family photos or wedding photos (everywhere). Tuck shoes, backpacks, etc. out of sight.

3. KITCHEN - The de-cluttering of this room is vital in staging. Kitchens sell homes. Absolutely anything that is sitting out on the counter or taking up valuable space on the floor has to go. Remove everything from the frig front. Consider refacing outdated cabinet doors. Update cabinet hardware with new knobs (check Lowes or Home Depot, this adds up when you count all your knobs and pulls so keep this in mind when pricing). Touch up paint or scratches as needed on cabinetry. Clean out every cabinet, drawer and pantry shelf and re-organize items. This impresses homebuyers -’it looks so well kept and neat that this home must be loved and very well cared for’. Clean appliances, oven, refrigerator, and microwave. Remove all wall decor and accessories/plants from cabinet tops. Hang just one picture somewhere and place only one decorative object on the counter. Consider new light fixtures ( again, Lowes and Home Depot have good,  affordable selections).  Please see my Lighting Post for more lighting tips.

5. FAMILY/LIVING ROOM - Keep furniture to a minimum. Go ahead and de-clutter extra chairs or tables in these rooms. Remove area rugs, throws and pillows. Maybe a few new throw pillows, but only a few. Re-arrange furniture to enhance any feature in the room -  fireplace, bay window, etc.  Position furniture so that these features are easily seen. Take most or all of wall decor down, leaving one or two pictures. Remove most items from bookshelves - especially photos and personal memorabilia. Place a few accessories on these shelves, most can be empty (think ‘display home’). Keep window treatments to a minimum or remove old or worn curtains and rods and just leave the window with nothing on it. Be sure to patch holes left by the rods.

6. BEDROOMS, GARAGE, EVERYWHERE ELSE

Again - think 50% Rule. De-clutter, de-clutter, de-clutter. Remove knicknacks, rugs, throws and blankets. Organize closets and remove enough garments so that things hanging next to each other are not touching. This sounds extreme, but I have heard many positive comments from homebuyers when they see closets staged this way. Remember, it’s ‘pretend house’.

Dead or dying plants must go. Repaint walls a neutal color-it’s OK to use the same color throughout the house - each room or area will look like a different color due to lighting variations.  Consider replacing carpet or flooring if it’s worn or stained. Homebuyers love this because new flooring lends a certain ‘newness’ to a home. Stay neutral with your color choice though, no blue or mauve carpet or tile please!

Organize and edit your garage so that you could actually park cars in it. Buyers don’t want to see a cluttered garage.

Leave before the potential homebuyers arrive.

Displaying photos of your garden or before and after remodeling photos are a good idea.

 Next is a checklist to follow after you have completed the staging prep rules and staging details. Use this ‘must- do’ list on a daily basis once you have your home on the market.

STAGING CHECKLIST

 Turn on all outdoor lights - even during the day

 Sweep sidewalk/front porch

 Pick up animal droppings in yard

 Clean glass on front door

Clean sinks, bathrooms, stools, mirrors - squeegee glass shower doors after each use

Vacuum

Wash and put away dishes

Empty wastebaskets/trash

Put away clothes/personal items

Organize mail, magazines, newspapers

De-clutter kitchen countertops

Fold towels-stash bath rugs and personal items

Make beds

Open all blinds/shades/drapery panels

Turn on all lamps and lights-even during the day

Wipe out microwave

Quick dusting of coffee tables/wood surfaces, dressers, etc.

Limit cooking to very plain foods so odors don’t linger

OK - Now you have your work cut out for you. Try and follow all these tips as close as possible, doing things half-way won’t be as profitable.  Good luck and keep me ‘posted’ on your project and email me with any questions!!

Faux Florals April 15, 2008

Have you seen all the faux florals available now?  Target and Home Goods have some great options. Check these out that I saw recently at Target. I am especially fond of the faux orchids - they are very life-like and come in colors from white to purple to orange. Also, the little greenery topiaries and grasses are a great way to bring some ‘faux’ nature into your home. Both the orchids and grasses compliment any style of decor as well.  Some even nicer faux versions are available at your local nursery or flower shop. I have used these faux florals outdoors as well, in a fairly covered/shaded spot-I mix a few of these in with the ‘real thing’ and no one is the wiser.

Furniture Shopping April 2, 2008

  If you are considering new furniture, yet are leary to do so considering our struggling economy, here are a few notes of encouragement.  First, furniture is one of the greatest values available to the American customer today. Based on consumer price index, a mid-price sofa at $299 from over 40 years ago, should be $2,084  in 2008 — but it’s not, it’s $699! Second, you should also consider the cost of other necessities ( yes, we need to consider furniture a necessity, not necessarily a luxury), like the refrigerator, the car, the TV and the computer. 

As an interior design consultant I am at times a sort of  ’cheerleader’. People need encouragement and confirmation that their investment in new furniture is like investing in their entire home - living in style and comfort, spending time with family and friends, and generally improving their lifestlyes are all great reasons to consider when updating  furniture.

  Most furniture stores offer in-home consultation services -  usually at no charge. Use this special service if it’s offered-it could potentially save you lots of time and worry.   You can also hire an independent interior decorator to assist you as well.  Usually charging an hourly rate, a decorator can look at your room, discuss your wants and needs, offer suggestions and inspiration, then either shop with you or even pre-shop for styles and fabrics to present to you at a later meeting.

If you are brave and willing to do some of the research yourself, I’ve written a few  decorator tips to know before you go!

~Measure the room including ceiling height, door openings and any existing furniture pieces that will stay in the room. Use these measurements to do a simple room layout and take this with you.

~Take photos of room and any furniture pieces that will stay in the room.

~Bring a swatch of  the rooms wall color and a sample of the flooring or carpeting ( a photo is OK if you don’t have an actual sample ), and any pillows or upholstery swatches from pieces that will stay in the room.

~Consider arm and leg styles before you go-will you look for a traditional skirted bottom or the more clean open look of a wooden leg, a square or rolled arm, a higher or lower back, - loose, attached, or semi-attached cushions? Also consider the depth of the seat-some sofas and sectionals can be get very deep.

~Think about the scale of the pieces you want to put in your room. There are lots of smaller scaled pieces available now-even in sectionals.  Generally, bigger rooms=bigger pieces, but there are ways to use larger scaled furntiure in smaller rooms as well. Furniture stores often have a computer to lay out the furniture pieces you like using the room measurements you brought along.

~Be open to new ways to arrange your sitting area. Don’t think you have to put the sofa in the same place as before.  In fact, it’s fun to mix up the furniture layout, especially since you’re getting new pieces. See my notes under Decorating Tips regarding room arranging.

~ Also, where is the TV going? - an important factor in the furniture arrangement. Will you need a new TV cabinet as well? If you move the TVs location, are there outlets in the proper place?

~Don’t forget to include in your furniture budget: a new end table? coffee table? floor lamp? table lamp? ottoman? rug?

~A lot of furniture stores let you ‘build’ your own custom furniture with options for fabrics, finishes, and arm, back and leg styles. I have created pieces for some of my clients with much success and delight to really capture that ‘custom’ look.

Good luck and remember - you deserve a comfortable, warm,  welcoming,  beautifully furnished room!